Senator Adams Oshiomhole mounted a spirited defence on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, pushing back against criticism of his controversial remarks during the ongoing National Assembly investigation into the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), in a heated session marked by repeated interventions and rising tempers.
Oshiomhole's Defence
Responding to allegations that he had described NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves,” Oshiomhole insisted that his comments were made within the context of a highly charged oversight process triggered by audit queries involving alleged discrepancies exceeding N210 trillion. He argued that his intervention during the Senate Public Accounts Committee proceedings was not an act of personal attack but a reaction to findings contained in the Auditor-General’s report, which forms the basis of the ongoing investigation into the oil company’s finances.
Oshiomhole maintained that the controversy surrounding his remarks had been exaggerated and removed from the circumstances under which they were made, stressing that the committee was dealing with serious allegations of financial irregularities that demanded urgent accountability. He also expressed frustration over what he described as repeated failure by key NNPCL officials to honour multiple invitations from the committee, claiming that some individuals had been summoned as many as nine times without appearing before lawmakers. According to him, such conduct undermines parliamentary oversight and weakens the authority of the National Assembly in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
Audit Findings and Pressure
The senator further insisted that the audit issues under scrutiny included claims of over N3 trillion linked to transactions involving banks and other financial arrangements, some of which were reportedly said to have gone into liquidation without clear disclosure of details. Oshiomhole said his comments were made in the heat of the moment during a tense session, adding that lawmakers were themselves under pressure as Nigerians demanded answers over the massive figures contained in the audit report.
“I was placed in a witness box before the entire nation,” he said, arguing that he should be allowed to defend himself as robustly as he was being accused. He maintained that his remarks were driven by a duty to defend the integrity of the Senate and ensure that oversight findings were not treated with indifference by those summoned to account.
Senate President's Intervention
As Oshiomhole concluded his defence, Senate President Godswill Akpabio intervened at several points to restore order and caution lawmakers against interruptions, urging the chamber to remain focused on the motion before it. Attention then shifted back to procedural concerns surrounding the Senate Public Accounts Committee’s handling of the investigation, including the controversial warrant of arrest issued against former NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari.
The matter reignited debate over the limits of committee powers, with lawmakers stressing that such enforcement actions must comply strictly with statutory provisions and Senate rules. After extensive deliberations, the Senate moved to clarify its position, affirming that only the Senate President has the authority to issue warrants compelling witness attendance, while committees are limited to making recommendations.
Senate Distances Itself
The chamber also distanced itself from the remarks attributed to Oshiomhole, stating that the comments did not represent the official position or findings of the Senate. Lawmakers reaffirmed that no individual or institution can be deemed guilty without a court judgment, and urged senators to exercise restraint in public statements relating to ongoing investigations.
The Senate subsequently nullified and discountenanced the arrest warrant issued against Mele Kyari by the Public Accounts Committee, bringing a dramatic turn to the escalating controversy. The session ended with lawmakers reaffirming their commitment to constitutional oversight, due process, and institutional discipline, even as the NNPCL probe continues to generate intense national scrutiny over the disputed trillions at the centre of the investigations.
